Toothbrush holder

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a sanitary toothbrush holder that holds toothbrushes in place to hang up right or upside down resulting in a cleaner brush that is air dried. It provides a better, easier and secure method of storing the brush after use. It is especially effective for children to place the brush against the holder with little difficulty.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of provisional patent applicationNo. 61/011,847, filed on Jan. 23, 2008.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is generally directed to a holder that can beutilized to position toothbrushes in a convenient location and atoothbrush for use with the holder. A Toothbrush is an awkwardly shapeddevice that is used on a daily basis but is difficult to store inbetween uses. As the toothbrush is used in the mouth on the teeth of theuser, it is important that the toothbrush be maintained in a sanitaryenvironment. It is also important that the toothbrush be stored in a waythat allows the brush to dry between uses. In the past, varioustoothbrush holders have been designed that have a slot for the handle ofthe toothbrush but the slot is not large enough to allow the brushes onthe end of the toothbrush to pass through the slot. Frequently thisstyle of holder has several slots positioned around a center sectionthat can be used to hold a cup or other container. The brushes of thetoothbrush engage the holder and introduce sanitary concerns for thistype of storage. In addition, it is not always easy to position thehandle in the slot and frequently the toothbrushes will fall and comeinto contact with other less sanitary surfaces in the bathroom. Thetoothbrushes in such a holding device are also frequently in closeproximity to the toothbrush of other users and this can be a less thandesirable sanitary condition. Frequently, toothbrushes are stored in aglass between uses where the glass is positioned on a counter in thebathroom. The use of a glass as storage device for a toothbrush has thesame deficiencies as the previously discussed holder.

Accordingly, there is a need for a toothbrush holder that will store atoothbrush in a sanitary manner. It is also desirable to have a holderthat allows the toothbrush to be stored in a convenient location wherethe toothbrush is easily removed and replaced in the storage device.There is also a need for a toothbrush that can be used with the holderto conveniently and sanitarily store the toothbrush.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is directed to a toothbrush holder that is capable ofsuspending a toothbrush that contains a piece of steel or iron in thehandle. A battery operated (chargeable or non-chargeable) toothbrushthat contains iron or steel in the handle of the brush can also besuspended on the magnetic toothbrush holders.

The advantages of the invention are that the holder provides for easyplacement of the toothbrush against the holder especially for children.Those with impaired hand function and senior citizens may find this newholder easier to access and to remove and replace the toothbrush back onthe holder. The brush is held in the open air for drying. The holder isspaced apart from the toothbrush and the toothbrush is not likely tobecome soiled in a bathroom medicine cabinet or vanity cabinet resultingin improved sanitation. The holder can be attached to a medicine cabinetor a utility cabinet made of iron or steel (metal). The magnetizedtoothbrush holder can be attached to a plate of metal (iron or steel)glued to a non-metal cabinet or a utility cabinet drawer. The holder canbe easily removed for cleaning and replaced when desired. The magnetizedtoothbrush holder can be attached to a mirror with the use of flat steelor iron plate glued to the back of the mirror. The holder will be heldin place by the magnetic attraction between the magnet and the metalplate on the back of the mirror. An anti-static paper can be attached tothe holder to enhance the attachment of the holder on the mirror. Theholder may be removed for purposes of cleaning the mirror and laterreplaced. The holder allows more than one brush to be held in place andthe number of brushes held is dependent upon the design of the holderand the available space for placement.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art upon a review of the followingdetailed description of the preferred embodiments and the accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of a metal plate that can be used tosecure the toothbrush holder of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front cross sectional view of the toothbrush holder of thepresent invention.

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the magnet used in the toothbrushholder.

FIG. 4 is a side cross sectional view of the toothbrush holder.

FIG. 5 is a side perspective view of a toothbrush that can be used withthe holder.

FIG. 6 is a side perspective view of a toothbrush that can be used withthe holder.

FIG. 7 is a side perspective view of a toothbrush that can be used withthe holder.

FIG. 8 is a front elevation view of the toothbrush holder positioned ina medicine cabinet.

FIG. 9 is a front elevation view of the toothbrush holder positioned ina drawer.

FIG. 10 is a front elevation view of the toothbrush holder position on amirror.

FIG. 11 is a side elevation view of the holder positioned on a mirror bya magnet.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a toothbrush that can be used with theholder.

FIG. 13 is a side elevation view of the holder used with the toothbrushof FIG. 12.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

The present invention relates to a sanitary toothbrush holder that holdstoothbrushes in place to hang up right or upside down resulting in acleaner brush that is air dried. The toothbrush can also be held in ahorizontal orientation if that is more convenient or preferred. Itprovides a better, easier and secure method of storing the brush afteruse. It is especially effective for children to place the brush againstthe holder with little difficulty.

The present invention allows the toothbrush holder to be in open view ona mirror or in a drawer and does not compromise the sanitary aspects ofthe toothbrush. Located on a mirror it will remind the user, especiallychildren, of the presence of the brush and encourage daily use.

The design of the holder can be different shapes as long as the holderhas sufficient magnetic material in the holder, and brush can bedifferent shapes as long as there is iron or steel in the brush, usuallythe handle.

This invention, as shown in FIGS. 1-10, relates to a magnetic toothbrushholder 10 for holding in place toothbrushes 21 containing iron or steel27 (metal) in the handle 22 or head 23 of the toothbrush. The toothbrushmay be held upright or upside down to easily allow the brush to dry inthe open air. The toothbrush is securely, but removably, held on theholder. The holder is a magnet 25 that can be encased in a plastic 30such as epoxy, acrylic or other suitable plastic types of materialswhich allows a brush with metal in the handle or on the outside of thehandle to be held in a secure manner. Although a magnet 25 can be usedto directly secure a toothbrush 21, it has been found preferable toenclose or encase the magnet in a plastic material to enhance theappearance and sanitary condition of the toothbrush holder 10. It isimportant that a significant portion of the magnetic attraction of themagnet 25 pass through or be present on the exterior-of the plasticcover to allow the magnet to secure a toothbrush 21. The brush is easilyremoved and replaced by children and may be placed in a conspicuouslocation on a mirror or in a cabinet as a reminder for children.

A toothbrush 21 with metal in the handle 22 and/or head 23, or on theoutside of its handle or head, as well as battery operated toothbrushes24 with metal in the handle, as shown in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7, will beattracted to the toothbrush holder 10 and held in place in an upright,upside down, or horizontal position. In a preferred design the metalpiece 27 is encased in the material of the handle 22 or head 23 of thetoothbrush 21. The metal piece needs to be sufficiently close to theexterior surface of the handle or head to allow the magnet 25 toreleasably secure the toothbrush 21 to the holder 10.

The toothbrush and the holder maybe designed to have different shapes toaccommodate being positioned on a mirror, medicine cabinet or vanitycabinet of a bathroom. The holder 10 may be composed of a plastic oracrylic resin 30 that encloses a magnet 25 of ferrite or magnetizedmetal.

The present invention, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, allows the holder tobe attached to different surfaces including iron or steel (metal)medicine cabinets 35 and vanity cabinets or drawers. The magneticattraction of the magnet 25 in the holder 10 is sufficient to secure theholder 10 on the metal surface of medicine cabinet or vanity. Anadhesive can also be placed on the surface of the holder 10 that isplaced against the cabinet or vanity to assist in securing the holder inthe desired location.

The present invention, as shown in FIG. 9, permits cabinets 43 made ofwood or composition material to be used by gluing a plate 15 of iron orsteel (metal) to the cabinet. The magnetic toothbrush holder will beattracted to the plate of steel or iron and held in position on theplate 15.

The present invention as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 may be used on amirror 45 by gluing a plate of metal 15 to the back side of the mirrorand attaching the magnetic toothbrush holder to the front of the mirror.Anti-static paper 47 can be placed on the side of the holder 10 thatcontacts the mirror to assist in securing the toothbrush holder 10 tothe mirror 45. The toothbrushes attached to the holder are in full viewof adults and children.

It should also be recognized that the magnetic piece could be positionedon or in the toothbrush and that he metallic piece could be positionedin the holder. As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the toothbrush 61 has amagnetic insert 65 in the handle 62 or head 63 of the toothbrush. Theholder 70 has a metallic piece 76 that is encased in plastic 30 aspreviously described. The magnet holds the toothbrush on the holderthrough the attraction between the magnet and the metallic piece. If thetoothbrush contains the magnetic insert, the toothbrush can bepositioned on a magnetic surface such as a medicine cabinet or a drawerwithout the need for a holder.

Although the holder 10 has been described as being used withtoothbrushes 21, it should be recognized that the holder can be usedwith other devices. In the bathroom, files, tweezers, nail clippers andother metallic items could be stored on a holder to such items in ahandy and secure location. In addition, traditionally non-metallic itemslike combs and brushes could be stored on the holder by adding ametallic component to these products. The holder could also be used inother rooms or locations to conveniently store items that are frequentlyused. The items would need to be metallic or have a metallic componentadded to the items. The holder 10 would be mounted in one of the waysherein described.

The above detailed description of the present invention is given forexplanatory purposes. It will be apparent to those skilled in the artthat numerous changes and modifications can be made without departingfrom the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the whole of the foregoingdescription is to be construed in an illustrative and not a limitativesense, the scope of the invention being defined solely by the appendedclaims.

1. A toothbrush holder for use with a toothbrush having a metallicelement comprising: a magnetic block for engaging the metallic elementin the toothbrush and for removably securing the toothbrush to theblock; and a securing means for mounting the magnetic block on a surfacethat is convenient for a user of the toothbrush.
 2. The holder of claim1 wherein the magnetic block is at least partially covered in a plasticmaterial to facilitate cleaning the holder.
 3. The holder of claim 2wherein the magnetic block is embedded in the plastic material.
 4. Theholder of claim 1 wherein the securing means is an adhesive that isplaced on one surface of the magnetic block, the adhesive beingsufficient to secure the block to the surface.
 5. The holder of claim 1wherein the securing means is a threaded fastener that can be positionedin at least one aperture in the magnetic block to secure the magneticblock to the surface.
 6. The holder of claim 1 wherein the securingmeans is a metal plate that is secured to one side of the surface andthe magnetic block is positioned on the other side of the surface, themagnetic force of the magnetic block securing the magnetic block to themetal plate to removably secure the magnetic block to the surface. 7.The holder of claim 1 wherein the securing means is a metal plate thatis secured to the surface, the magnetic force of the magnetic blocksecuring the magnetic block to the metal plate to removably secure themagnetic block to the surface.
 8. A toothbrush for use with a magneticholder comprising: a head having bristles positioned thereon, thebristles being disposed for brushing the teeth of a user; a handleconnected to the head, the handle extending from the head; a piece ofmetal is secured to either the head or the handle for securing thetoothbrush to the magnetic holder.
 9. The toothbrush of claim 8 whereinthe piece of metal is bonded to the exterior of the handle or the head.10. The toothbrush of claim 8 wherein the piece of metal is embedded inthe handle or the head.
 11. The toothbrush of claim 10 wherein the pieceof metal is positioned close enough to the exterior surface of thehandle or the head to allow the magnetic holder to removably secure thetoothbrush to magnetic holder.